The 26-year-old entered the Sunshine Tour tournament after problems with his visa prevented him from playing in  the Kazakhstan Open this week on the Challenge Tour.

A strong field has assembled for the event at the Nick Price designed course, however Jean Hugo and the defending champion PH McIntyre will not be playing in the tournament.

Guy Hawthorne who is at Vaal de Grace told Courant that the field is still competitive, with a strong Free State representation.

“Unfortunately multiple winner Jean Hugo is not here this week and neither is the defending champion PH McIntyre.

“But there are still some big names, guys like Titch Moore, Doug McGuigan, Andrew McLardy, Thabang Simon, Brandon Stone and Bradford Vaughn.

“Then of course there are quite a few local boys…Bloemfontein-based boys who are playing this week - MJ Viljoen, Alex Haindl, Makhetha Mazibuko, Divan Gerber and then an interesting one sees Dean Burmester.

“He was actually meant to be playing on the European Tour in Kazakhstan, but he had problems with his visa so he has come back here and has been included in the field as a late entry.”

Burmester told Courant that the Kazakhstan Open is lucrative and he is disappointed not being able to play, however he has found memories of Vaal de Grace.

“Unfortunately missing quite a big event in Kazakhstan, but really looking forward to this week.

“I love the course, I actually got my tour card here in 2010 so it’s lovely being back and hopefully I can win one for the Free State.”

The popular event tees-off tomorrow runs until Saturday before the tour moves to the City of Roses for the Sun Windmill Challenge next week at the Bloemfontein Golf Club.

Morgan Piek / OFM News